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Sunday 15. september

Rímur Singing for Beginners

Time: Saturday at 11:00 - 12:30

Instructor: Bára Grímsdóttir

Place: Iðnó, Sunnusalur 

Tickets: 1.900 kr. 

About the workshop:

Iceland’s unique rímur (sung, poetic storytelling) tradition stretches right back in an unbroken thread to the middle ages. Using archive recordings made in the 20th century, Bára Grímsdóttir, who is a leading expert in this style of singing, will introduce us to and teach some examples collected in the area of Kjós, which lies behind the mountain Esja, just outside of Reykjavík.

The music in this workshop will be taught by ear.

Folk Dance-floor Survival 101

Time: Saturday at 13:30 - 15:00. 

Instructors: Barnaby Walters and Lauge Dideriksen. 

Place: Iðnó, main hall  

Tickets: 1.900 kr.

About the workshop: 

In this workshop, you’ll learn some of the common traditional couple dance forms found all over Europe in the last few centuries, how to improvise with them, and how to comfortably and respectfully navigate a dance floor.

This workshop is for anyone who:

  • Has listened to folk music and asked themselves, “This sounds groovy, but how do I dance to it?”

  • Plays traditional dance music and wants to make it sound “danceable”

  • Is searching for a fulfilling way of dancing to folk music without complex choreographies, a dance leader, gender roles, or other outdated power dynamics

No special shoes or clothing are required provided you can move comfortably. It’s not necessary to come with a partner (but feel free to bring your friends!). Music will be provided by experienced dance musician, researcher, composer and conductor Lauge Dideriksen.

How to play the Icelandic langspil

Time: Saturday at 15:30-17:00 

Instructor: Chris Foster

Place: Iðnó, Sunnusalur

Tickets: 1.900 kr.  

About the workshop: 

In 1855, Ari Sæmundsen published his book ‘Leiðarvísir til að spila á langspil og til að læra sálmalög…’ the only book  ever published about playing langspil. In this workshop we will see what he had to say, and learn about his simple system for noting down tunes. Then everyone will have the opportunity to have a go at playing langspil. People who have langspils are very welcome to bring them along and share techniques and ideas about playing Iceland’s iconic traditional instrument. If you don’t have a langspil you will be able to have a go on the instruments that will be there.